The system’s main component is the blood pump consisting of transparent polyurethane, thus the blood passing through the pumps can be observed and the physicians have an additional option to check.
The pump consists of two chambers: one air chamber and one blood chamber. These two chambers are parted by a triple membrane from each other. The chamber which comes in touch with the blood is coated with Heparin (a drug which modifies the coagulation ability). The pump has one inflow and one outflow socket. On one end the cannulas are fastened to these sockets on the other they are connected with the heart and the vessels. To ensure that the blood flows in the correct direction the pump is equipped with two hatches, that operate as valves
The pump or pumps are exterior to the body. This is why one regards to this device as an extra corporeal system. The cannulas run beneath the costal arch, through the abdominal wall and skin. In order to avoid infections, the cannulas are coated with velour enabling them to adhere easily to the skin. In addition the part where the cannulas intrude the body is protected by a sterile plaster.
Due to the availability of different pumps and cannula sizes the system is suitable for all patients: adults, children, toddlers and newborns. Berlin Heart is a among a few companies worldwide that offer cardiac assist systems for children (EXCOR® Pediatric)
For the EXCOR® system two different driving units are available:
During hospital stay the stationary driving unit Ikus is used. This movable driving unit has approximately the size of a baby carriage. The Ikus is suitable for all pump sizes and for univentricular as biventricular support.
The EXCOR® Mobile driving system allows patients fitted with 60 or 80 ml pumps to move around freely, and even return to their familiar home surroundings.
On a caddy, quite similar to a shopping caddy there is a carrying unit which serves to link the drives and power packs together to form the complete functional system. At each time two power packs shall be connected to the system. In case one power pack fails the remaining one will supply those drivers. Apart from this, integrated emergency batteries ensure an additional 15 minutes emergency operation in the event that both power packs become fully depleted. Depending on the configuration and capacity requirements, the batteries are able to supply the system with electricity between 5 and 8 hours.
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